SPEA establishes new scholarship for top undergraduates

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University Bloomington today (March 3) announced the first five recipients of a new undergraduate scholarship, the SPEA Academic Admission Award.

The award, created for the school's highest-achieving newly admitted students, is based on students' IU cumulative grade point average. Students must be newly admitted to SPEA, enrolled as a full-time student and taking at least six credit hours of SPEA course work for the upcoming semester to qualify. Typically, five of the $2,000 awards will be granted each admission cycle.

"SPEA's goal is to serve the very best students who are interested in public and environmental affairs," said Burney Fischer, SPEA clinical professor and director of undergraduate programs. "We understand that financial incentives are important to students, particularly in these difficult economic times. We look forward to these students becoming future leaders in SPEA and in their careers."

The first five recipients, their majors and home towns, include:

Amy Allen, Environmental Management, Bloomington, Ind.

Heather Gordon, Health Administration, Mishawaka, Ind.

Philip Heleringer, Legal Studies, Louisville, Ky.

Susan Miller, Health Administration, Evansville, Ind.

Katharine Russell, Nonprofit Management, Indianapolis

The IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs is committed to teaching, research and service in areas such as public and nonprofit management, public policy, environmental science, criminal justice, arts administration and health administration. The school has earned national distinction for innovative educational programs that combine administrative, social, economic, financial and environmental disciplines.